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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Zyzyfer
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?
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 Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2003 3:55 am Post subject: |
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Nah, Korea's got tons of dirt and grime. And since Mr. NiceGuy said he's done the naturey thing, I have to ask:
You got many Korean pals? Not just guys you know...but real, bonafide pals?
The other thing is that, yes, you've been here for 4 and 1/2 years, and it's not going to be as cool after all that time. I'm on my second year here, and, while I enjoy a lot about the place, I really, really want to move on. |
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Mr.NiceGuy
Joined: 03 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2003 4:24 am Post subject: |
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| Tiger Beer wrote: |
| Mr.NiceGuy wrote: |
| I want something more genuinely Asian, or aesthetic. |
Vague concepts.. something genuinely Asian or something aesthetic.
Well, aesthetic sounds like you want Japan.. a place that markets itself in nice little aesthetic 'cutesy-ness'..
A place genuinely more Asian.. hmm.. I sometimes associate 'genuinely more' meaning more dirt and grime to show its 'authentic self' and I guess thats China.. |
Culturally speaking. There's not enough of the exotic here. The styles seem out of date compared to some other parts of Asia. There's little artistic and aesthetic sensibilities in clothes, architecture, and the arts themselves, although I believe Koreans are very artistic and the Hanbok is exquisite.
Japan is too cutsy, but hey, they have a lot of aesthetic sensitivity, and not all is cutsy, especially their architecture.
The grime you're speaking of I all ready mentioned. China was annihilated- like Korea-by the 'Cultural Revolution.' Yet it still smacks of Asia by just the way the people dress.
I don't know. Maybe I need an Asian broad. |
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Mr.NiceGuy
Joined: 03 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2003 4:34 am Post subject: |
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| Zyzyfer wrote: |
Nah, Korea's got tons of dirt and grime. And since Mr. NiceGuy said he's done the naturey thing, I have to ask:
You got many Korean pals? Not just guys you know...but real, bonafide pals?
The other thing is that, yes, you've been here for 4 and 1/2 years, and it's not going to be as cool after all that time. I'm on my second year here, and, while I enjoy a lot about the place, I really, really want to move on. |
No pals yet. Except a dog.
Yeah, it gets old after a while. That's what I mean. Next year I might go to Taiwan. Anybody know if Taiwan has much to offer? |
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Dr. Buck
Joined: 02 Mar 2003
Location: Land of the Morning Clam
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2003 4:49 am Post subject: |
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BINGO!!!!!!!
Trying to romaticize Korea in your own head is tough work.
What works for me is the outdoors, the mountains in the mist, the seaside at dawn or dusk: stalk through some hillside and kick up a water deer . . . head into the brush and flush some ringneck pheasants . . . try to get close to one of the egrets or cranes you see in the ricefields . . . strap on a snorkel and mask and dive into the underwater rocks with a spear and catch your dinner . . . . study the growth of bonzai trees . . . learn to identify the native edible plants (in case of war--for sure, aye) . . . run your favorite nearby mountain trail until you feel sick . . . meditate the horizon on top . . . jungle run down through the briars and brush . . . SKIP ALL BUDDHIST TEMPLES THAT ATTRACT TOURISTS . . . head to the small ones clinging to the hillside buried away . . .
But then again, different strokes for different folks . . .
As for that Boseong Tea Plantation--its nowhere near Pusan . . .get on the Namhae Expressway and head west for about three hours, take one of the Suncheon exits, and then drive another hour southwest or so on a few backroads--and tea plantions are nice of course . . . |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2003 5:02 am Post subject: Vietnam |
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| Mr.NiceGuy wrote: |
Culturally speaking. There's not enough of the exotic here. The styles seem out of date compared to some other parts of Asia. There's little artistic and aesthetic sensibilities in clothes, architecture, and the arts themselves, although I believe Koreans are very artistic and the Hanbok is exquisite.
Japan is too cutsy, but hey, they have a lot of aesthetic sensitivity, and not all is cutsy, especially their architecture.
The grime you're speaking of I all ready mentioned. China was annihilated- like Korea-by the 'Cultural Revolution.' Yet it still smacks of Asia by just the way the people dress.
I don't know. Maybe I need an Asian broad. |
Yeah, I think you are expecting too much.. especially the styles seem out of date compared to the rest of Asia? The rest of Asia? The rest of of Asia.. well one billion in China. one billion in India.. hundreds of thousands in Indonesia.. comparitively the styles in Korea are pretty up-to-date comparitively.. actually if you compare Korea to the rest of Asia.. on most examples.. you would get the same response..
Generally, Korea actually is one step up above the 'rest of Asia'.. but of course if you are talking about Japan.. then Japan would be top.. then maybe Singapore and Hong Kong.. and then Taiwan and South Korea.. and then you'd have 25-30 other asain countries clamoring for the rest of the titles..
I don't know.. China smacking of Asia because of the way they dress? those pale blue uniform-like clothes? and the dull uniform-like buildings that cross the entire country.. hmm..
I think you just need a girlfriend  sounds like you are just in the doldroms and need a pick-me-up..
Vietnam is the only country that truley smacks of Asia.. beautiful ao-dai dresses on the woman, monsoon rains, conical hats, beautiful French architecture, great tasting food, etc.. |
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The King of Kwangju
Joined: 10 Feb 2003
Location: New York City
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2003 5:21 am Post subject: |
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No offence, but if Asia has no more romance for you, then why don't you leave Asia? Asia doesn't owe you anything, and it particularly doesn't owe you a "romantic" experience, any more than Toronto owes me a Canadian wilderness experience.
| Mr.NiceGuy wrote: |
| There's little artistic and aesthetic sensibilities in clothes, architecture, and the arts themselves... |
How long did it take you to figure this out? One trip to the National Museum pretty much proves the point. I mean, how many times have we seen a picture of that dang figurine of a man on a horse? If you want this kind of thing, you're clearly in the wrong place.
| Mr.NiceGuy wrote: |
| Culturally speaking. There's not enough of the exotic here. |
My vote for the most "exotic" are the southern islands. Not in the Lonely Planet, and few people speak English there. Few mainland Koreans have been there. Some islands have no cars. Take any ferry from Yosu as far as it will go, and you'll get a bellyful of exotic. |
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Zyzyfer
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2003 5:30 am Post subject: |
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| Mr.NiceGuy wrote: |
No pals yet. Except a dog.
Yeah, it gets old after a while. That's what I mean. Next year I might go to Taiwan. Anybody know if Taiwan has much to offer? |
Yea, I think you either need to skedaddle after you wrap up your contract, or meet a special someone, male, female, hermaphrodite, whatever. Someone to make you take interest in figuring out what makes up their way of thinking. Someone you care about.
Doesn't gotta be a girlfriend, but it helps, heh. |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2003 5:36 am Post subject: Taiwan |
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| Mr.NiceGuy wrote: |
| Next year I might go to Taiwan. Anybody know if Taiwan has much to offer? |
Have you read the Taiwan posts? People complain constantly that its hot, boring, ugly, dirty, polluted, and people only have one purpose - to make money.
I've never been there.. so I shouldn't be perpetuating the myth.. but my friend told me they don't even like to drink beer there.. and if you go drinking.. people kind of look at your weird like 'why would you do that?'
Okay, granted.. one of my life enjoyments is drinking beer with sexy Korean girls.. I just can't imagine being in Taiwan and drinking tea with Taiwanese girls surrounded in hot steamy pollution.. and all the other junk they complain about on that board!!
Some people who wanted to get away from Korean-ness say that the Taiwanese are super-nice and super-friendly.. but they also complain about them being super-boring..
Hmm.. I shouldn't be perpetuating the myths and the stereotypes.. but that seems to be the constant theme going on there..
someone please correct me if I'm wrong as i wouldn't mind hearing a positive spin on the place.. |
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4 months left
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2003 6:13 am Post subject: |
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I think maybe it is not the scenery but the general feeling you get. I guess there is some nice scenery in Korea but I prefer beaches, not the jam-packed ones you find in Korea or clean rivers and lakes. There is nothing worse than ruining the mood when hear someone horking up a big luggy, or a whining women saying WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY,
or listening to someone eat that sounds like they are trying to be more disgusting than your dog eating or a group of Koreans yelling-talking to each other.
The romance quickly fades. |
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gang ah jee
Joined: 14 Jan 2003
Location: city of paper
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2003 6:40 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| My vote for the most "exotic" are the southern islands. Not in the Lonely Planet, and few people speak English there. Few mainland Koreans have been there. Some islands have no cars. Take any ferry from Yosu as far as it will go, and you'll get a bellyful of exotic. |
As far as it will go from yosu (apart from Jeju) would be Geomun-do, right? Loved it there. Got to the village on the south of one of the islands, showed my mad bbongjak skillz in front of stunned locals in the norae tent on the beach. Really hope to make it back there once the weather heats up.
| Quote: |
| The grime you're speaking of I all ready mentioned. China was annihilated- like Korea-by the 'Cultural Revolution.' Yet it still smacks of Asia by just the way the people dress. |
Korean dress doesn't smack of Asia? So those pointy shoes are western then. I'm so out of touch.
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Trying to romaticize Korea in your own head is tough work.
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ooooh yeah. I'm constantly trying to remind myself that I'm not FROM here. Can still get a brief thrill crossing the Han on the subway every morning though. |
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sid
Joined: 02 Feb 2003
Location: Berkshire, England
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2003 4:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Perhaps somebody could pass this thread on to the customer service department at 'The Asia Experience' theme park, they should be able to help. I know they value their Canadian customers very highly and aim to provide the best romantic experience they can. |
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Mr.NiceGuy
Joined: 03 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2003 4:35 pm Post subject: |
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| The King of Kwangju wrote: |
No offence, but if Asia has no more romance for you, then why don't you leave Asia? Asia doesn't owe you anything, and it particularly doesn't owe you a "romantic" experience, any more than Toronto owes me a Canadian wilderness experience.
| Mr.NiceGuy wrote: |
| There's little artistic and aesthetic sensibilities in clothes, architecture, and the arts themselves... |
How long did it take you to figure this out? One trip to the National Museum pretty much proves the point. I mean, how many times have we seen a picture of that dang figurine of a man on a horse? If you want this kind of thing, you're clearly in the wrong place.
| Mr.NiceGuy wrote: |
| Culturally speaking. There's not enough of the exotic here. |
My vote for the most "exotic" are the southern islands. Not in the Lonely Planet, and few people speak English there. Few mainland Koreans have been there. Some islands have no cars. Take any ferry from Yosu as far as it will go, and you'll get a bellyful of exotic. |
I'm not saying Asia doesn't. Korea doesn't.
Hey listen. How much culture do you glean in Korea? My argument is that there need to be a more attractions to the place, more aesthetic feel to it. Even in the cities.
No one's talking about this "you owe me something deal." What we are talking about is, "I want to get something out of life," and get a little inspiration. Korea offers little in the way of a rich cultural experience, but I'm not knocking it either. |
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Cabbit
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2003 4:44 pm Post subject: |
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Mr. Nice Guy
So if its romance of a different kind I can understand that. Have you been to Heinsa? There is a fascinating temple there and it has a distinct asian feel to it . That is one of my favourite places in Korea, mind you I may be biased as I love all the temples in Korea.
I understand what you were saying about loosing the romance.....I just think you need a change of scenery!! We dont get the yellow dust here in Youngju so Spring remains unspoilt.
OH and you mentioned Jeju-do.........GO GO GO!!!
The temple on the island is one of the most beautiful ive seen and is so different to those on the mainland!! Also the waterfalls are lovely in spring.
Take care
Cabbit |
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Cabbit
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2003 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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oh and about the art thing...........when was the last time you visited the many contemporary art galleries in Insadong? As an artist I am continually inspired by many shows in Galleries in Korea. I must admit that the stuff they hang in the national museum and the gallery of 'contemporary' art is pretty shabby. But take a look around Insadong sometime!
Hey give me a buzz and I will go with you!!!
I was dissapointed in the lack of weigooks in Insadong when I held an exhibition there last year..........
ok, enuf from me... |
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william beckerson
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2003 5:10 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah, Korea's not ethnic enough for me too.
I was hoping everyone was padding around in rice fields and being generally underdeveloped, and here I get to Korea and it turns out to be a modern country.
What a rip off. |
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